One way or another, history will be made at this year's WNBA Finals.
Neither the Dream nor the Valkyries have ever hoisted women's basketball's greatest prize. That will soon change for one of the two in 2026. It's anyone's guess who has the advantage heading into the series.
Angel Reese is the biggest name slated to traipse onto the floor during the set. The Baltimore native and Defensive Player of the Year has embraced the spotlight during her maiden postseason, averaging 18 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.8 stocks to anchor Atlanta on both ends of the floor.
The 24-year-old figures to play a starring role against Golden State. But who will join her on the marquee for the famous series? Here are five names other than Reese who could land leading roles during this year's WNBA Finals.
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Five key players you need to know for WNBA Finals (not including Angel Reese)
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1. Gabby Williams, Valkyries
Williams is a splendid talent, pairing impressive defensive traits with a dizzying first-step that allows her to get to the rim at will. She's the two-way centerpiece that shapes much of what Golden State does well. Williams is arguably the best wing defender in the league. Her scoring prowess is a bonus — she ranks fifth in postseason scoring this year, averaging 22.7 points on 57.6 percent true shooting.
The Valkyries need their offense to be firing if they hope to hoist their first-ever WNBA crown. Williams will be key to determining whether that will be the case.
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2. Jordin Canada, Dream
Canada has never made an All-Star Game. She averages a shade under 10 points per game across her nine-year career and has rarely attracted the spotlight. In other words, she doesn't feel like she should garner headliner status during this year's WNBA Finals.
And yet, her performances during the 2026 postseason suggest she is more than deserving of her title. Canada has been the WNBA's best guard in the playoffs, producing Chris Paul-like stat lines to push Atlanta to the Finals. Canada is averaging 19.2 points and 8.8 assists on 51.6 percent shooting (50 percent from three). She has yet to miss a free throw and boasts an assists-to-turnover ratio of 4.4.
The 31-year-old is a two-time champion who is renowned for her steady hand in the backcourt. While it will prove hard for her to maintain her impressive efficiency — Canada is a career 26.2 percent shooter from beyond the arc — her ability to orchestrate Karl Smesko's offense should shine through, even against a dogged defense like Golden State's.
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3. Rhyne Howard, Dream
Howard has struggled mightily with her efficiency in the postseason — particularly inside the arc. Still, she remains one of the league's more valuable players, contributing the fourth-highest win shares in the league during the regular season.
Like Williams, Howard is a formidable wing defender. With wiry arms and active hands, Howard regularly produces takeaways, averaging a shade under three stocks a game. She is one of the sport's most prolific shooters, breaking the record for most threes in a season this year. While her shot can run hot-and-cold, Howard's penchant for the long-ball can make life hard for opposition defenses — as was the case with her four-three day in Atlanta's Game 3 win over the Liberty.
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4. Veronica Burton, Valkyries
Burton has enjoyed a stunning run to WNBA prominence, becoming one of the league's best guards since landing with Golden State via expansion draft in 2025.
The Northwestern alum hasn't quite been able to reach the heights of Canada this postseason. Still, she's an ideal guard for a championship-caliber side. Burton rarely turns the ball over, can produce timely baskets and shines as a point-of-attack defender. Burton made life hard for Canada and Co. in their three regular-season matchups, averaging 13 points per game on 54.2 percent shooting. If she can produce similar figures in the Finals, Golden State will prove tough to stop.
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5. Allisha Gray, Dream
The only thing limiting Gray's impact is her availability. It's unclear when she'll make her return to the Dream's lineup after missing Games 2 and 3 of the semifinals with an injury to her shooting hand.
Should Gray recover smoothly, she figures to be one of Atlanta's most important talents. The South Carolina product is one year removed from placing fourth in MVP voting. And although she didn't shine quite as brightly as she did in 2025, Gray is — at her best — a talented perimeter defender who can produce points in bunches efficiently. If Gray is fit and firing, she could be the difference in lifting the Atlanta to its first-ever WNBA title.
